AATA Blog
Featured Member: Patricia St. John
“Clients will tell you their story through their artwork. Gather their messages. Make no assumptions.”
My Favorite Response When Talking to Lawmakers: “Yes, I Still Support Art Therapy Licensure!”
By Briana Colton MA, ATR-BC, LPCC
On March 4th, Minnesota art therapists visited the State Capital in St. Paul, marking our third annual Day on the Hill event aimed at increasing visibility and awareness of art therapy and advocating for state art therapy licensure. This year’s event was smaller and more focused than 2024, due in large part to the delayed start to the Minnesota House of Representatives’ session. Despite the delay, our community showed up in strength, and we had a wonderful day of conversations and connection with each other and our legislators!
The Evolving Role of Supervision in an Art Therapist’s Professional Journey: Insights from our 2025 Supervision Series Presenters
Many art therapists consider supervision as an integral part of their journey through the profession. It shapes the very core of their identities as art therapists. As we look forward to our 2025 Supervision Series, which will explore the developmental journey of art therapists from student to supervisor, we have invited our presenters to tell us more about their own supervision journeys.
Navigating Ethical Challenges in Art Therapy: Insights from our 2025 Ethics Series Presenters
It’s not surprising that art therapists consider ethics critical to their practice. As we look forward to our 2025 Ethics Series, which will explore everything from clinical referrals to social media and self-disclosure, we have asked our presenters about how these topics have affected them.
Featured Member: Jocelyn Patterson
“Don’t limit yourself to any visions or examples of art therapists you’ve seen. There needs to be many different types of therapists in order to ensure there’s a fit for the many different types of clients out there.”
Featured Member: Mike Fogel
“Consider this: If everyone in the world mindfully practiced the core social skills of accepting our human interdependence, empathy, a state of giving, balancing your needs with others’ needs, assertiveness, and compromise, the world would be a kinder, more peaceful place, and humanity could better tackle the immense issues facing us today.”
My Tips for an Outstanding Mentoring Experience with AATA’s Mentor Match Program
Considering joining AATA’s Mentor Match Program and still wondering what to expect? You have landed in the right spot! Thank you for embarking on this journey and taking time to understand how you can benefit from AATA’s Mentor Match program… and create a mentorship experience that fits your needs!
Re-introducing AATA’s Mentor Match
Whether you’re just entering the art therapy field or looking for a new career direction – a mentor may be able to help you. In fact, AATA members have told us that they want more opportunities for mentorship and networking. That’s why we are excited to re-launch our Mentor Match Program!
Featured Member: Annette Vaccaro
“I am most excited right now about the developmental journey of the art therapist. I have done recent research about the graduates from the program that I coordinate and have been supervising for 20 years now. In addition, I am learning more and more about online education and how to use technology to enhance our training. The pandemic brought the necessity to stretch our wings in this area.”
Featured Member: Ashley Stielow
“I think the weight of the world sits with so many right now. It makes me feel incredibly fortunate to be able to process events of race, diversity and social justice with my clients.”